University at Buffalo (UB)
How do I find out what programs you offer?
We offer a dozen advanced dental education programs and they are highlighted on the School of Dental Medicine page. Please note that application deadlines, procedures and requirements vary by program.
Can I enroll in more than one program?
Yes, many students simultaneously pursue an academic degree to enhance their research exposure during clinical training. If you are interested in this option, be sure to visit program specific websites for additional information. You will need to submit separate applications and fees for each program of interest.
Does your school provide application fee waivers?
In some instances, fee waivers are available to U.S. citizens or current permanent residents as permissible by the university. Read more about the policy.
Where can I find information regarding tuition and fees?
The general cost of attendance budget is provided on the cost of attendance page; be sure to see program pages for a breakdown of indirect fees and further details. See notes below:
Does training in your advanced clinical programs qualify me to get licensed for dental practice in the US?
No, students and residents who enter our programs without a license to practice in the US do not become eligible for licensure by virtue of participation in our clinical programs. For instance, students who enter with a BDS degree do not become qualified to sit for the NBDE licensing exam at the conclusion of their training. We recommend that you contact the relevant licensing body for specific questions about eligibility requirements for licensure to practice. View a U.S. licensure map.
International applicants may want to consider our International Dentist Program (IDP). This program is for internationally trained dentists who seek to practice dentistry in the United States.
Will I be interviewed as part of the admissions process?
Most of our clinical programs require interviews as part of the admissions process. If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted by our office via email.
APPLICATION MATERIALS
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION:
Do I need to submit letters of recommendation?
Yes. Please see program-specific web pages for details in the "How to Apply" section. Check the requirements for your program(s) of interest to find out: what letters are required, how many are needed, and by whom they should be written.
Where should I send my letters of recommendation?
Recommenders need to submit letters of recommendation electronically. PASS applicants must follow ADEA instructions. Applicants to programs that use the UB application must provide contact information for each person providing a recommendation; recommenders will receive electronic requests after you provide email addresses.
TRANSCRIPTS:
Do I need to submit official transcripts with my UB application?
PASS applicants should follow ADEA instructions regarding transcripts. Candidates applying for programs via the UB application will upload unofficial transcript copies from all previous institutions at the time of application. Official transcripts are required after acceptance.
Is the Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or World Education Services (WES) required with transcripts?
Yes, internationally trained candidates must use a transcript service. The report type needed is the course-by-course report. Academic transcripts from international institutions must be accompanied by a copy of an ECE or WES document.
Do I need to mail hard copies of any materials (test scores, transcripts, etc.) to UB?
No. At the time of application, all required materials are provided to directly to PASS or uploaded via the secure UB applicant portal.
Is there a minimum GPA requirement and how are GPAs outside a 4.0 scale considered?
An undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required for matriculation to UB graduate programs. Internationally trained candidates will submit an ECE or WES to facilitate confirmation of the GPA. Our programs employ a holistic admission review policy, where your prior academic performance is only one of several determining factors in the admission decision. Visit our admissions overview page for more details.
REQUIREMENTS & SCORE REPORTS:
Am I eligible to apply to your clinical programs if I earned a dental degree outside the US or Canada?
Students seeking admission to our clinical programs are accepted with dental degrees including: BDS, DDS, DMD and MBBS. Please see program specific websites for details on educational requirements as these requirements vary by program.
Do your programs require GRE scores?
The orthodontics program requires either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT). Unofficial score reports are acceptable during the application process. Upon acceptance, official scores must be sent to PASS using our Institution Code: 2925. Our other programs do not require the GRE.
Please see specific program pages for application requirements for your program of interest.
Do I need to submit official Board Scores (NBDE 1 & 2 or iNBDE) with my application?
Our Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery MD/Certificate program requires either the iNBDE or NBDE part 1 and 2 at the time of application.
Our Orthodontics program requires either the iNBDE or NBDE part 1 and 2 before admission.
Please see specific program pages for application requirements for your program of interest.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
Are international students accepted to your programs?*
Yes, the School of Dental Medicine offers a variety of advanced education programs with students/residents from all over the world. Please see our program pages for more details. *Be sure that the name on your application exactly matches the name on your passport.
How do I get a student visa to study at UB?
Once students are admitted, the university will process appropriate immigration documents. Additional resources for international students are available through the Office of International Student and Scholar Services.
How do I verify my financial ability to attend UB?
Candidates must complete the appropriate university Financial Form to indicate intended funding sources at time of application; bank statements are not required. Upon acceptance, all students are required to provide financial documentation.
Do I need to take the TOEFL or IELTS exam?
Advanced education certificate applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English Language proficiency. We accept the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score requirement of 79. The dental school also accepts the IELTS score report with a minimum overall score of 6.5 and the Duolingo with a score of 120 or higher. Refer to the Graduate School website for additional details.
If admitted, when can I expect to receive an I-20?
If admitted as an international applicant, your admittance will process through International admissions. After an admissions decision is released, steps for admitted students to take are emailed and a checklist is posted in the application status portal. Once an admitted applicant has completed the next steps in their application status portal, the Office of International Admissions will issue an I-20 Form (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) approximately two to four weeks later. UB International Admissions will send all I-20s with digital signatures via email.